Revision as of 11:41, 21 June 2007

Washington has a lively GLBT community-- from bars and restaurants to welcoming churches to activity groups. Here are listed just a few of the many DC establishments that cater to the GLBT community. There are many more than are listed here. For more bars, restaurants, churches, cultural events, news, calendars and more, you can pick up one of the two major local GLBT newspapers, MetroWeekly or The Washington Blade. These are free in newspaper racks throughout the city, or you can visit them on the web:

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Dupont Circle is the traditionally gay section of town. The park in the center of the circle is great for relaxing and people-watching. The blocks surrounding the circle contain a wide variety of restaurants, pubs, bookstores, boutiques, and even Provisions Library, a wonderful small arts and social change library. Metro: Dupont Circle on the Red Line

Barracks Row and Eastern Market in Capital Hill are increasingly gay-friendly, housing Banana Cafe and Phase 1 (see below for more info), as well as a large old-fashioned outdoor market on the weekends. Metro: Eastern Market on the Orange and Blue Lines. Eastern Market is on 7th street SE across Pennsylvania Ave. as you come out of the metro; Barracks Row is one block east on 8th street SE, on the metro side of Pennsylvania Ave.

The Transgendered community has decent visibility on DC's GLBT scene. This particular author has observed that in many mixed and lesbian clubs, such as Club Chaos, trans folks are a part of the usual scene. According to the linked article, DC has the strongest anti-trans discrimination laws in the U.S. It is worth noting that these laws protect your right to use gender-specific restrooms. DC Trans Coalition: Your Rights in DC.

A big city like DC can provide you with access GLBT-friendly establishments, people, and communities that you might not have access to in suburban or rural areas. DC's cosmopolitan atmosphere should be enjoyed, and couples should feel relatively safe strolling hand-in-hand. As with any urban area, caution and common sense should be exercised. Always be aware of your surroundings and don't walk alone at night.

DC Eagle: Leather themed but open to all, just one block from the Convention Center, 639 New York Ave. NW, Mostly M

Fab Lounge: Second-floor bar with dance floor, great view of Dupont area, 1805 Connecticut Ave. NW, W (despite what other listings say; it has been traditionally M, but has recently become a defacto Women's bar)

Penn 12: A new bar with dancefloor, up a flight of stairs so may not be handicap accessible, 1129 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, W

Phase 1: This is the nation's oldest lesbian bar, established in 1970, friendly bartenders make it comfortable for solo bar-goers, live music on Sunday nights, open Thurs.-Sun., each male patron must be accompianied by a woman, 525 8th street SE, W

Remington's: The place to go if you feel like some old fashioned dancing, check their site for a schedule of country line dance lessons and performances, 639 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Mostly M

A note to save you a trip: Previous visitors to DC may recall the popular clubs Ziegfield's, Secrets, and Nation. Sadly, we have lost these clubs to the revitalization of the area surrounding the new baseball stadium.